Tell Me Who Are the Jews Or Die

An American sergeant in WWII risks his life ordering 1000 POWs to say they are all Jews.

On Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous posthumously honored Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds with its "Yehi Or" (Let There Be Light) Award.

American Jewish servicemen fighting Nazi troops during World War II faced even greater dangers than their non-Jewish comrades. If they fell into enemy hands, Germany didn’t treat them as ordinary POWs with the attendant rights demanded by the Geneva Conventions. Instead, Jewish prisoners were handled the way Germans handled all Jews: they were dispatched to death or slave labor camps, with little chance of survival. The American Army even advised its Jewish troops to destroy their dog tags and other identifying documents if captured by Nazi forces.

The group of over a thousand American soldiers were captured in late 1944 and early 1945 in the Battle of the Bulge and transported to the Stalag IXA POW camp near Ziegenhain, Germany. One of their first orders was to separate out the Jewish troops and present them to their German captors.

The German camp commander, Major Siegmann, delivered the order in English to the ranking American serviceman in the camp. This was Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds, a stocky 24-year-old from Knoxville Tennessee. Remembered by his fellow troops from basic training as a gentle, unassuming soldier, Sgt. Edmonds might have seemed an unlikely candidate for the heroism he was about to display.

According to his son, Rev. Chris Edmonds, who has spent years speaking with witnesses and piecing together what happened that day on January 27, 1945, instead of ordering Jewish troops front and center, Sgt. Edmonds turned to his men and said, “We are not doing that, we are all falling out.”

“They cannot all be Jews!” Sgt. Edmonds replied, “We are all Jews.”

Commanding all the Americans in the POW camp to stand at attention in front of their barracks, Sgt. Edmonds placed himself front and center. Lester Tanner, a Jewish soldier who served with Sgt. Edmonds, later recalled the scene: “I would estimate that there were more than 1,000 Americans standing in wide formation in front of the barracks, with Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds standing in front, with several senior non-coms beside him, of which I was one.”

Major Siegmann strode up to Sgt. Edmonds. “They cannot all be Jews!”

Sgt. Edmonds replied to the commander, “We are all Jews.”

Enraged, Siegmann took out his pistol and threatened to shoot Sgt. Edmonds. Facing immediate death, Edmonds refused to back down and betray the Jews under his command.

“According to the Geneva Convention, we only have to give our name, rank and serial number,” Sgt. Edmonds replied, and recited them. “If you shoot me, you will have to shoot all of us and after the war you will be tried for war crimes.”

Paul Stern, a Jewish POW who was standing nearby, recalled those stirring words that saved his life. “Although 70 years have passed, I can still hear the words (Sgt. Edmonds) said to the German camp commander.”

After a moment, the Commandant turned and walked away.

Sgt. Roddie Edmond’s son estimates that his father’s actions saved the lives of over 200 American soldiers in the POW camp.

Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds of the US 422nd Infantry Regiment.

After the war, Roddie Edmonds never mentioned his heroism that day, nor later in the war, when, according to his son, he again told American POWs to resist German orders and not embark on a death march as Allied troops closed in. It was only after he died in 1985 at the age of 64 that his children began to slowly uncover their father’s remarkable wartime deeds.

When Roddie Edmonds’ daughter decided to make a video about her late father’s life for a college project, her mother showed her diaries he had kept in Stalag IXA. These contained some musings about daily life in the POW camp, but mostly contained the names and addresses of the troops in his care, which Edmonds had laboriously recorded.

Edmonds’ son, Chris, says he was blown away by what he read and stayed up that night searching these names on the Internet. The very first article he read gave him his first inkling that his father was a war hero. Searching for Lester Tanner, the soldier who’d stood side by side in formation with Roddie Edmonds, yielded an old article about Tanner, now a prominent New York attorney, selling his New York townhouse to Richard Nixon. The article contained a fascinating aside: Tanner mentioned that an American Sergeant, Roddie Edmonds, had saved his life and the life of other American Jewish servicemen during World War II.

Chris contacted Tanner, as well as several other witnesses, and slowly pieced together the story of his father’s wartime heroism. Thanks to his work, on December 2, 2015, Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds was honored by the State of Israel as “Righteous Among the Nations,” the first American serviceman so honored.

Chris Edmonds jokes that his father “must have had a superhero cape in his closet” but Roddie Edmonds’ dedication to his fellow men seems to have been a deep, fundamental value.

Avner Shalev, Chairman of Yad Vashem, points out that Sgt. Edmonds “seemed like an ordinary American soldier, but he had an extraordinary sense of responsibility and dedication to his fellow human beings.” His son concurs: “My father always had a strong sense of duty, of responsibility to his fellow human being, whoever they were…He was a man of great religious faith and an unwavering moral code and set of values to which he was completely dedicated.”

That moral code gave Sgt. Edmonds the strength to face death and risk his life to save others. It gave him the courage one cold morning to stand up to a POW Commandant who held the power of life and death in his hands and declare: “We are all Jews.”

Yvette Alt Miller earned her B.A. at Harvard University. She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Jewish Studies at Oxford University, and has a Ph.D. In International Relations from the London School of Economics. She lives with her family in Chicago, and has lectured internationally on Jewish topics. Her book Angels at the table: a Practical Guide to Celebrating Shabbat takes readers through the rituals of Shabbat and more, explaining the full beautiful spectrum of Jewish traditions with warmth and humor. It has been praised as "life-changing", a modern classic, and used in classes and discussion groups around the world.

Such a courageous act. Only G-d knows the numbers of those saved that day as well as their descendants. May G-d bless them all.

(23)
jim,
December 5, 2016 7:08 PM

enormous person

one of the finest to ever live, G-d bless them and their families all!

(22)
raisja,
December 4, 2016 11:38 AM

deportation

want to.tell here about my father, he saved a baby for deportation Amsterdam,in 1942
The parents where our neighbours,young people Just married
And a new born baby.w here coming to deported my father said to her give me your child i Will bring it in safety
Allplaces where full there was No Safe House for them, but a litll baby perhaps was possibel so my father brought the baby to the resistance ,the baby survived thewar. so. did myfather
Kaddisj forMathilde andMAXDe BRAVE
Sobibor
1042
Killed

(21)
Barry Fleischmann,
December 2, 2016 8:45 PM

US medal of honor not awarded

I recently heard an interview with Sonny Fox, (real name Irwin) who was the original host of the show Wonderama, and a well known TV personality in the 1950's and 1960's. He was one of the prisoners. He said so far the US army has refused to award Edmonds a medal because his actions "did not occur in the heat of battle". This is a travesty which needs to be corrected. Fox has been trying to get this made right.

(20)
Gittel,
December 1, 2016 3:47 PM

The Honorable Hero Sgt.Roddie Edmonds of Blessed Memory

It is said that if you save one life it is as though you have saved the world.The Honorable Hero Sgt.Roddie Edmonds of Blessed Memory saved many worlds.Numerous children and grandchildren live because of this wonderful hero.If just one of Sgt.Edmond's children or grandchildren read this,please know that countless strangers are Blessing you.May we all learn from this,and take care of each other.

(19)
Anonymous,
December 1, 2016 2:50 PM

WOW

(18)
Mike,
December 1, 2016 2:42 PM

one question

The Jewish GIs were carrying dog tags that had a letter "H" standing for "Hebrew" on them. The Germans sent soldiers who had those dog tags to concentration camps.Who had the 'smart' idea to issue dog tags that mentioned the soldiers relgion?Didn't those responsible know that if the soldier would be taken captive this might be his end?Sure, one could argue that this was burial purposes and such,but is that really the explanation? Is it blindness or willful blindness?

(17)
Sel Dante,
February 10, 2016 12:07 AM

HE WAS A REAL HERO WITH OUT ANY COMMENDATION.

AFTER THIS STORY CAME OUT , HE SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED FOR ACTIONS such as this. I'm proud That Israel did recognized him.

(16)
Selwyn Dante,
January 12, 2016 12:43 AM

Why was he never honored as a hero?

I'm a Jewish war veteran who fought near the end of the Battle of the Bulge. He was a true Mench. I would hope that his family now knows what a true hero he was. Good health and much happiness for all of his offspring. May God Bless them all.

(15)
Mike,
December 19, 2015 9:35 PM

not everyone was so righteous

I've read about many NCOs who were antisemites and did what they could to have their Jewish soldiers be killed...

Gee Miller,
December 23, 2015 1:06 AM

Is that you, Dr. Duke? LOL!

I seriously doubt that...

(14)
Anonymous,
December 18, 2015 12:51 AM

May G.. bless his soul forever.

(13)
Helen Fischer,
December 17, 2015 12:42 AM

Kudos to a "mentsh". May his memory be a torch that gives every man the courage to do the right and honourable thing.

(12)
Helen Schwab (Chaiah),
December 15, 2015 11:44 PM

Inspiring courage and decency.

Thank you for publishing this.

(11)
Rafael,
December 15, 2015 9:40 PM

American

Put a check mark in the Gentile box . When Jews put on American uniforms , they assimlate into the American brotherhood and that is all . They wave the Star Spangle Banner. I wonder how many German , Italian , Spanish Greek etc Americans stood with Edmonds against the German Commandant that fateful day . The leader of all the American forces ( Eisenhower) was of German descent . He was very clearly 100% American and the leader of the allied forces against Hitler . I understand Edmonds loyalty, admiration and responsibility to his American Jewish brothers who in turn would also give their lives for their commanding officer . The story is in fact how the hybrid American forces behave like like a single pedigree .

Laine,
December 19, 2015 1:17 AM

German Americans in the US Army in WW2

There were, in fact, quite a few German Americans in the US Armed forces in WW2 who contributed to the defeated of Nazi Germany.At the command level,there was Carl Spaatz who directed the air campaign and Alfred Gruenther who planned the invasions of N.Africa and Sicily.At the combat level there was Lt.Karl Timmerman who commanded the troops who seized the Remagen bridgehead and Sgt.Warren Spahn-yes the ball player-who fought with outstanding courage at the Bulge and at the same Remagen bridgehead.And,of course,Ike was descended from Germans as well as you mentioned.

(10)
Ana,
December 14, 2015 1:37 AM

Lovely

What a strong will and a beautiful soul. May all Roddie Edmonds' descendants be as strong and beautiful in their lives (though never be put in such an awful predicament). Thank you to everyone who helped piece together the story. It warmed my heart.

(9)
Howard Sanshuck,
December 13, 2015 8:50 PM

Heroism of Master Sergeant Edmonds

At first I was going to criticize MSG Edmonds for risking all of his soldiers lives to save those who were Jewish without their consent. Then I thought that it would have been second guessing the need for an immediate response. Then finally, I thought of something in my own time on active duty and decided that he did the right thing and was truly heroic. I had orders for Vietnam but tried to get out of the orders by volunteering for Officer's Candidate School. Everything went well and I was excited that I had been accepted. One thing remained. An interview before a panel of three officers which was merely a formality. They asked me what I would do if I were a second lieutenant and given an order to launch a frontal assault of an enemy machine gun post, but one man in my platoon refused to leave our position. I wasn't sure how to answer but after a brief pause answered with what I would have actually done. I told them that I would have removed my .45 caliber pistol and point it at the man's head and say to him I am going to be the first one out and will likely be the first one to die, and if you refuse to obey the order I will execute you. There was a silence in the room. As I rose and saluted the panel of officers, I knew that I was not gong to OCS and instead went to Vietnam.

Ely,
December 14, 2015 10:14 PM

Indeed a good analogy

It seems he lived your "theoretical".

The Nazi said "send your Jews to face the machine gun post and you can stay in your barracks" and he said "we all go together, no one stays behind, we are all the same".

What's amazing is how many times the same story comes up from WW2. In the rare occasions people came out in unity and said you can take us to, we are all Jews, the Nazi's just gave up. Unfortunately this was the rare case.

(8)
Sholom,
December 13, 2015 7:40 PM

They should make this into a movie.

It's a fantastic story.

(7)
FB Adams,
December 13, 2015 7:31 PM

I Wept

I wept when I read the short excerpt because of the bravery of one person to stand in the face of evil for the sake of good. Long may Sgt. Edmonds be remembered among the righteous in the earth.

(6)
Shirlee Rosenthal,
December 13, 2015 7:21 PM

Roddie Edmonds

What a beautiful story. He is a righteous Gentile, those who have saved Jewish lives during the war. Thanks to his children for sharing this story with us. Shirlee Rosenthal

(5)
Donald Robins,
December 13, 2015 6:36 PM

Inspiration

Sounds to me like Master Sgt Edmonds was the real-life inspiration for that famous scene in the movie Spartacus. He was a true Christian, unlike the hypocrite pretenders running for President under the Republican banner.

Anonymous,
December 14, 2015 2:56 PM

Must you be political at a time like this?

Your political bias proceeds the waiting for all the facts to play out in this presidential race. Certainly your opinion can also apply to the Democrats, no? Therefore, your opinion is rendered ineffective.

(4)
Shelly,
December 13, 2015 6:22 PM

Sgt. Edmonds

Were we all not like Sgt Edmonds. A great man. A great hero. May his memory be a blessing upon us all. An although his children may think they know of how worthy their fathers deeds were, they have not an inkling of the true significance of their fathers deeds. May you be blessed!!

(3)
Devorah,
December 13, 2015 6:08 PM

Sgt. Edmonds Tanner

Indeed a heroic feat that shamefully was not recognized until the Hero already passed. Glad his children/Grandchildren benefitted from the recognition of their family member. Like MOST heroes Sgt. Edmonds probably would not understand the fuss being made over his actions that day. As a hero, neither would I. We have a united effort among us to tell no one and that is what makes us great. :-)